Sanitary Fitting Rotatable Sleeve Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary fittings require direct manipulation of the water-carrying outlet element to open and close the flow, which is inefficient and not easily adaptable for switching between different jet patterns or temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary fitting design featuring a rotatable sleeve surrounding the outlet element that acts as an actuating element for a shut-off valve, allowing independent control of the flow without affecting the outlet element, and includes a switching valve to adjust the water supply area and potentially switch between different jet types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the outlet element itself is twisted to change jet direction, then the jet direction can be changed, but the outlet element is directly affected and its position may be unintentionally altered
Solution Approach 1:
The control function is segmented from the outlet element. A separate rotatable sleeve is introduced that surrounds the outlet element but does not directly affect it. The sleeve contains the valve mechanism while the outlet element remains stationary, allowing independent control of jet direction through water flow regulation rather than physical movement of the outlet.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable sleeve acts as an intermediary between the user's manual operation and the outlet element. By rotating the sleeve, the user actuates the valve mechanism internally without directly manipulating the outlet element itself, thus changing jet direction while maintaining outlet element stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rotatable sleeve surrounding the outlet element is used to actuate the shut-off valve, then the outlet element remains unaffected and maintains its direction, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the single rotatable sleeve component. The sleeve simultaneously serves as the external actuating element, the protective housing for the valve mechanism, and the structural connector to the fitting housing. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts despite the enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable sleeve is designed as a multi-functional element that combines shut-off valve actuation, structural support, and potential jet pattern switching capabilities. This universal component approach achieves stable outlet element positioning while managing device complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
3Ease of operation
If the outlet element is manipulated to open and close flow, then direct control is achieved, but switching between different jet patterns or temperatures becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static outlet element manipulation to dynamic valve mechanism control within the rotatable sleeve. As the sleeve rotates, it dynamically actuates the valve to switch between different flow configurations, enabling versatile jet pattern changes while the outlet element itself remains stationary and simple in design.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The sanitary fitting has a fitting housing (1) which is provided with outlet element (8) and shut-off valve. An actuating element is provided for actuating the shut-off valve and outlet element. The actuating element is formed as a sleeve which is grasped by user so as to be rotatable with respect to its own axis independently of the outlet element. The discharge element is arranged in sleeve.